Enhancing cross-cultural competency: A model for the transmission of world music aesthetics in Chinese art universities

Ziyu Li, Sayam Chuangprakhon and Weerayut Seekhunlio

African Educational Research Journal
Published: March 10 2026
Volume 14, Issue 1
Pages 192-199
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18938303

Abstract

This study developed and evaluated an instructional package designed to enhance cross-cultural competency and the transmission of world music aesthetics in Chinese art universities. Addressing the prevalent Western-centric and Sino-centric bias in Hebei Province's higher education, the research utilized the ADDIE model (Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation) to bridge the gap between national internationalization goals and local pedagogical practices. The research was conducted at an art university in Hebei Province over a 16-week semester with 86 undergraduate students as key informants. Data were collected using a mixed-methods approach, including pre-tests, post-tests, and expert evaluations, and analyzed through paired-sample T-tests and qualitative thematic synthesis. Results revealed a significant improvement in students' musical literacy and aesthetic analytical skills, with mean scores rising from 42.50 to 84.20 (p < 0.001). The implementation of a Tri-Pillar framework, balancing Western classical, Chinese heritage, and global musical traditions, effectively transformed passive listening into active cross-cultural engagement. These findings are useful as they provide a replicable, scientifically validated framework for curriculum reform, ensuring graduates possess the cultural agility required for the 21st-century music industry. The study concludes that the Tri-Pillar framework, supported by systematic instructional design and comparative teaching strategies are essential for fostering global consciousness in artistic education. Suggestions for further research include longitudinal assessments of competency retention within this framework and the integration of immersive technologies like Virtual Reality to simulate global field studies.

Keywords: ADDIE model, cross-cultural competency, world music aesthetics, music education, Hebei Province.

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